PHIDIM: The police on Tuesday arrested five persons allegedly involved in vandalism. They have been charged for destroying over a dozen shops in Bahardanda Bazaar of Panchthar's Tharpu VDC-3 eight days ago. The arrested are Narayan Nugo and Kebal Nugo of Tharpu VDC-3, Yogesh Rai and Narendra Rai of Oyam VDC-3 and Dipak Seling of Oyam VDC-6.

A joint police team headed from district headquarters Phidim and Tharpu Police Post had arrested them with the help of locals from Taplejung's Sadewa. Police said homemade gun, pistol and other domestic weapons were recovered from them.

A complaint on charges of public crime and arms and ammunition acts would be lodged against them soon, he added. Police, further claimed that the arrested were professional and were involved in theft and vandalism in the area at various times.